Ask an Officer: Who sets speed limits?

Answer: The state of Wisconsin sets speed limits for all roads. However, municipalities can change speed limits for roads under their authority, following guidelines set forth in the Wisconsin statutes. For most roadways in the city you will see speed limits that are consistent with what you would find in most other urban and semi-urban areas throughout the state.

The city may, at times, seek to adjust speed limits on certain roadways. When doing so, they take into account multiple factors such as number of traffic accidents, roadway width and design, proximity to a school, and volume of traffic.

In addition to these factors, another important element that is considered when setting or adjusting speed limits is called the 85th percentile speed; or the prevailing speed which most drivers choose to travel under ideal conditions. Research has shown when speed limits are set at the 85th percentile speed, traffic flows freely and the risk of traffic crashes is significantly reduced.

An interesting piece of reading for further information on this topic can be found at http://epdfiles.engr.wisc.edu/pdf_web_files/tic/bulletins/Bltn_021_Speed.pdf

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Ask an Officer: Who sets speed limits?

Question: Who sets the speed limits on roadways in the city?

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